"I'm a trained killer - in business."
--Bill Rancic
William "Bill" Rancic founded cigarsaroundtheworld.com eight years ago in a 400 sq. ft. studio apartment. Today it is a thriving multi-million dollar national operation. The son of educators, he is a true entrepreneur, paying his way through college by starting a boat wash and wax business in the Chicago area. He is also an adventure junkie. When he is not making business deals he enjoys skydiving and scuba diving. In addition to his cigar company, Bill also develops real estate and speaks at universities and businesses around the country.
What is your definition of "success"?
If I can lead a happy life, touch the lives of others in a positive way, win the respect of those that I care about … and make a few million along the way then I have been successful.
Who do you admire most (personally and/or professionally)?
The person that I admire most would definitely be my Father. Forgoing a more lucrative career in the business world he chose to educate others as a superintendent of schools for 20 years and then as a college professor. He had a true passion for what he did and had a positive influence on thousands of people, encouraging them to follow their dreams. He had a zest for life and a true appreciation for balance, always taking time to do the things he loved and sharing them with me; snow skiing, nature, a sunrise, or even an old Clint Eastwood movie. He always taught me that there is no easy way to success, hard work, honesty and determination will always prevail. Although he lost his battle with cancer he never gave up, he chose the path that was definitely less traveled undergoing experimental treatments and surgeries at the National Institute of Health always optimistic for a cure. I have taken the lessons that I have learned from my father and applied them to my everyday life, confident that he is proud of me.
What cartoon character do you most relate to and why?
The Roadrunner. He would see an opportunity and act upon it, always staying ahead of the competition. The fake detour sign, the falling anvil and the TNT never got to him because of his speed and perceptiveness... Beep, Beep
Bill's resume doesn't include much formal education but a smart and gutsy entrepreneur. He has a good track record of making it, but will he be able to really move around in the world of high finance? That's his monkey on his back.
Ken NJ said this in post #2 : Bill's resume doesn't include much formal education but a smart and gutsy entrepreneur. He has a good track record of making it, but will he be able to really move around in the world of high finance? That's his monkey on his back.
It says he paid his way through "college" but doesn't say which or what degree(s). Somewhat curious, but perhaps his business/entrepeneurial experience and success are either more impressive or how he wants to sell himself ?
If he's asked to speak at Universities and businesses he must know something they want to learn about and most real estate developers I know of do pretty well financially.
I'm watching him.
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly,what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
<<< It says he paid his way through "college" but doesn't say which or what degree(s). Somewhat curious, but perhaps his business/entrepeneurial experience and success are either more impressive or how he wants to sell himself ? >>>
Bill's bio is fuzzy, the kinda person business associates keep in their back of the mind. People like to see if he earns his keeps. Perhaps, Bill's more of a "mover and shaker" to his claim of fame.
<<< If he's asked to speak at Universities and businesses he must know something they want to learn about and most real estate developers I know of do pretty well financially. I'm watching him. >>>
I'm guessing, but perhaps we see him learning his skills from those night-time off-the-cuff "come to my seminar to the closest hotel located near you." How to do "nothing down deals." Start own business on the internet with his cigars. He got the guts and the breaks; then he got the gift of gabs to do the speaking circuit in recruiting more wanna-bes. Not sure Bill reached "developer" status; perhaps "handy-man" specialist. What do you think OBAF?
Ken NJ said this in post #4 : <<< It says he paid his way through "college" but doesn't say which or what degree(s). Somewhat curious, but perhaps his business/entrepeneurial experience and success are either more impressive or how he wants to sell himself ? >>>
[B]Bill's bio is fuzzy, the kinda person business associates keep in their back of the mind. People like to see if he earns his keeps. Perhaps, Bill's more of a "mover and shaker" to his claim of fame.
<<< If he's asked to speak at Universities and businesses he must know something they want to learn about and most real estate developers I know of do pretty well financially. I'm watching him. >>>
I'm guessing, but perhaps we see him learning his skills from those night-time off-the-cuff "come to my seminar to the closest hotel located near you." How to do "nothing down deals." Start own business on the internet with his cigars. He got the guts and the breaks; then he got the gift of gabs to do the speaking circuit in recruiting more wanna-bes. Not sure Bill reached "developer" status; perhaps "handy-man" specialist. What do you think OBAF?
Well ...
Here's Bill's cigars ... website -- picture and all
Indicates that Synergy announced that they "opened a new website" as of 12/24/03 ....
SO
You figure it out Ken.
Is it a fuzzy Bio ? Maybe a cleverly and somewhat deceptively worded presentation of his credentials ... but then he is selling himself.
Speaker ? I doubt he is/was a "come to my seminar at the closest hotel" speaker. It states that he speaks at Unversities/Businesses ... probably about entrepeneurship ? At Universities because he is a young guy and young people will readily relate to him. I doubt he's in demand as a speaker and it's only a short step up, but my guess is he just belongs to the Speakers' Bureau of a Chamber of Commerce or a Trade Organization and that's how he gets speaking gigs.
It says he "develops real estate" and I guess it could mean rehabbing or maybe HUD stuff ... but I admit I was thinking he was more investor than hands-on worker.
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly,what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Bill seemed to initially respected Sam's project management plan of a team in the office with advance work and calling the plays, and setting up the eam on foot in getting the other part of the execution job done. However, Bill realized that Sam's plan failed by making changes abruptly and didn't have the time to do as planned.
Ken NJ said this in post #7 : Bill seemed to initially respected Sam's project management plan of a team in the office with advance work and calling the plays, and setting up the eam on foot in getting the other part of the execution job done. However, Bill realized that Sam's plan failed by making changes abruptly and didn't have the time to do as planned.
i agree, respecting the leader is key to having a chance to win, when trump shook sams hand he was saying that you better win this one or else you are fired, and when sam failed by making changes abruptly to the plan- he got fired
<<< i agree, respecting the leader is key to having a chance to win, when trump shook sams hand he was saying that you better win this one or else you are fired, and when sam failed by making changes abruptly to the plan- he got fired >>>
I loved it when Sam lost focus after infatuated with Trump's personal handshake and appearance to ask about Sam's project status "and not to let him down." Then Sam went on and on just running down own team's clock about that "handshake." Sam blew it and lost the helm in steering the project. Then the team had to stop Sam going off blah, blah, blah.....sitting Sam down and telling him to quickly count down "5,4,3,2,1" and get back into the play quickly.
uniquemuchacha said this in post #6 : i absolutely loved it when bill said "u ask sam what time it is, he tells you how to build a clock" it was soooo true!
I know people who do that too ... but Sam was just WAY too nervous in that setting an ended up babbling.
I think at first Bill sort of kept his sense of humor with and about Sam. But wasn't it Bill who swore at Sam during dinner after they lost ?
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly,what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Ken NJ said this in post #9 : <<< i agree, respecting the leader is key to having a chance to win, when trump shook sams hand he was saying that you better win this one or else you are fired, and when sam failed by making changes abruptly to the plan- he got fired >>>
I loved it when Sam lost focus after infatuated with Trump's personal handshake and appearance to ask about Sam's project status "and not to let him down." Then Sam went on and on just running down own team's clock about that "handshake." Sam blew it and lost the helm in steering the project. Then the team had to stop Sam going off blah, blah, blah.....sitting Sam down and telling him to quickly count down "5,4,3,2,1" and get back into the play quickly.
Ooops you guys ... this is the Bill thread. See how quicky we can get lost in New York ?
It was Troy calming Sam down and Nick was the other guy in the office when Trump arrived.
BILL ... was on the field team.
Confusing ain't it ?
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly,what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
uniquemuchacha said this in post #12 : I'm very excited to see how Bill will play on tonights episode! He will probably do a lot better with out sam
In the previews they showed SOMEBODY selling autographed footballs or something when their assignment is to manage a resaurant. Again the preview indicates that it deviates from task and apparently is against the rules ?
It was either Troy or Bill out there selling the footballs instead of meatballs which might get one of them fired.
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly,what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Ah, Bill, Sam, Troy... what difference does it make who's thread huh? They're all men no matter how you slice them. I'm not related to Bobbit... it was just a figure of speech.
01-09-2004 06:33 AM
Perhaps, Bill's more of a "mover and shaker" to his claim of fame. 
What do you think OBAF? 
Then the team had to stop Sam going off blah, blah, blah.....sitting Sam down and telling him to quickly count down "5,4,3,2,1" and get back into the play quickly. 
